I am a holistic educator with a background in medicine, mindfulness-based therapy, Tai Chi and teaching.

(The website is being revised and the process may take longer than you think So please bear with me in the meantime. I apologize for any out dated material)

The main news is I am transitioning from medical healthcare and psychotherapy to holistic education.I am becoming more and more passionate about promoting an understanding of the wisdom, truths and resources we harbour in our bodies, our souls and our spirit. ********************************************************

UPCOMING EVENT

IAHIP Workshop – Purely Elemental

Purely Elemental explores the less obvious qualities of the elements earth, air, fire and water. These elements are in us as well as around us. Our body is built of the same minerals found in earth. Over 70% of our body mass is water. We harbour air in our lungs and carry gas molecules in our blood and are sustained by heat at the core of our body. When the elements re in balance life ticks over pleasantly, when they are out of alignment we can be adversely affected. Certainly, they are environmental forces to be reckoned with and respected as tsunamis, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions testify. On a more personal level, these elements influence the way we think, the way we feel and the choices we make. The workshop explores these influences and the impact they have on our daily lives, e.g. too much earth energy takes us into a lifeless rut, too much fire energy causes restlessness and agitation, too little water leads to social withdrawal and indifference. The practice of simple practices empowers and assists the self-regulation of these energies orienting our inner world towards balance, harmony and wellbeing. The workshop unfolds through guided meditation, input, sensitive enquiry into their influence in life, discussion, optional sharing and movement. I will offer a menu of simple practises and tools from different disciplines for drawing the elements towards balance and alignment. These include tips on lifestyle and diet, ways of connecting and working with nature, breathwork and movement sequences all of which regulate the effects of the elements within us. These practises will assist you to become co-creators with the elements, using their energies to your benefit rather than be randomly affected by their energies. The workshop is facilitated from an educational perspective and benefits all through heightening awareness and deepening understanding of the influence of the elements. It offers a nurturing space and encourages ways of relating to the elements in a more meaningful way. Further it provides insights and tools that can be applied to psychotherapy practice as required and where appropriate. For more info go to www.patriciachalmers.com or call 0879051874

Facilitator: Patricia Chalmers: Following a career in Anaesthesia for several years, Patricia Chalmers qualified in Core Process Psychotherapy, a mindfulness based modality and accomplished accreditation with UKCP. Patricia also spent a few years in community in which time she trained in and practiced guided meditation and facilitation skills. Patricia is also a qualified Tai Chi teacher and Reiki Master. She is now transitioning into holistic education and is hugely inspired by Creation Spirituality and Ecopsychology.

April 2017: Following the success of the workshop Purely Elemental held recently in Clonakilty I am now running the workshop in Skibbereen in May. More details below.

PURELY ELEMENTAL EARTH AIR FIRE WATER

Connecting with Nature through Reflective Exploration, Meditation and Gentle Movement

DISCOVER how each element boosts your energy and enriches your life.

LEARN how each element influences your mood, feelings and choices.

EXPLORE how to balance and optimize the effects of each element for inner peace, wellbeing and a more fulfilling life.

Article in West Cork People January 2017 written before Clonakilty event Looking Anew at the Elements: Earth Air Fire Water

I used to take the elements for granted. Every day on automatic pilot, I walked the earth, drank and washed in her waters utterly dependent on her air for my every breath and the sun’s warmth for survival. Only in recent years have I awakened to the realisation of how intricately the elements are woven into the fabric of my life and my being. Not only am I enfolded by the elements in the world around me, my body is also composed of the same minerals found in earth, water makes up over 70% of my body mass, oxygen circulates to every cell, and my core temperature keeps me warm and supports the biological functions of every organ.

When in balance, all goes well and life ticks over pleasantly. We all love bright sunny days and stand in awe of glorious sunsets. It’s a different story when earthquakes rock the earth, volcanoes spit fire, tsunamis rise and hurricanes demolish everything in their path. The elements are certainly environmental forces to be reckoned with and respected.

Similarly, within the inner world of the body, each element expresses deeper qualities that influence our moods, feelings and choices. When balanced, we experience inner peace and wellbeing, when out of kilter, we experience an array of discomfort and dis-ease be it boredom, restlessness, frustration, overwhelm, anger or anxiety to name a few.

The elements can work together or against each other. When things are getting on top of me, I realise there is too much water energy. I need to slow down and ground myself. Walking barefoot or going for a walk in the woods restores my peace of mind. When I’m feeling bored and nothing seems to be happening, I know there is too much earth energy. I engage the dynamic of fire. A stint of dancing, a run or a workout in the gym gets me out of this groove.

I have learnt that we need not be at the mercy of the random energy of the elements. Conscious and aware of their subtle influences, we become empowered to regulate their effect, tuning the high’s and low’s towards better alignment. No longer victims we become cocreators of synchronised energetic flow, boosting our vitality, building up our self -confidence, becoming grounded, practical and creative in our lives. An added bonus is the inner peace and wellbeing that tags on.

How can this become a reality for us? We have simple practises at our disposal to optimise the effects of the elements in life. Reflection, meditation and movement increase our awareness of the elements at work within us. The food we eat and the use of the breath also influence their effects. These tools are so accessible to us.

This and more can be explored in a programme supported by The Clonakilty Wellness Committee and facilitated by Patricia Chalmers.

A workshop held in the autumn was received with enthusiasm. The participants discovered new aspects of the elements, learnt which one was dominant in their life and explored how they could be cocreators with these energies to improve their quality of life. They left delighted and looking for more.

For more info call Theresa Tobin 0879652325. The follow up programme is scheduled for February 7,14,21,28 at 7.30-9.30pm in Clonakilty. Patricia is a holistic educator with a background in medicine, mindfulness-based therapy, Tai Chi and teaching.

Exploring the Labyrinth of your Mind MAY 2016

A two day workshop dedicated to exploring our inner world of thoughts and feelings, gaining understanding of conflicting experience, learning tools for skillful mastery in order to live more consciously and creatively. Our inner world is a labyrinth of thoughts and feelings triggered by life experience. When in conflict, the twists and turns drain our energy, causing a sense of dissatisfaction, grief, guilt, confusion or any adverse expression of human mindstates and emotions.

At a deeper level, our personality feels out of sync with our soul.

The workshop offers a safe space for: – exploring the interplay between feeling, thinking, consciousness and awareness; – allowing embodied experience to yield understanding, knowing and wisdom; – learning practical and energy tools for skillful mastery of inner conflict; – releasing your creativity and resourcefulness; – resting in the centre of your being where soul meets personality anew. The intention is to offer alternative pathways through the maze of thoughts and feelings to step into life skillfully, consciously and creatively.

The journey will include meditation, guided imagery, mindful enquiry and a touch of gentle movement.